The Galaxy Nexus was unveiled jointly by Google and Samsung on 19 October 2011 in Hong Kong. It was released in Europe on 17 November 2011.[20] It is one of the few phones recommended by the Android Open Source Project for building Android from source.[21] By 29 October 2012, the Galaxy Nexus was no longer available for sale on the Google Play Store, following the release of its successor, the LG Nexus 4.[22]

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Google's plans to continue the Nexus series and bring a third-generation Nexus to market were confirmed by Google's senior vice president of mobile platforms Andy Rubin in May 2011.[23]Samsung mobile put out a teaser video[24] for its "Google Episode" of Unpacked on 11 October[25] but later postponed (to 19 October)[26] the product announcement out of respect, following the death of Steve Jobs on 5 October.[27]

Before the official announcement, it was also referred to as the Google "Nexus Prime" by the general public and the media.[28] There had been repeated leaks containing almost accurate details about this device.[29] The phone was officially announced on 19 October 2011 in Hong Kong, revealing the official name as "Galaxy Nexus".[30]

The Galaxy Nexus hosts support for MHL through the use of its Micro USB2.0 port,[31] allowing the Galaxy Nexus to output up to 1080paudio-visual content (through HDMI) to any supported external display such as a HD Television.[32] USB port supports both host and devices modes (OTG); as a note, its successor Nexus 4 supports only the device mode. The Galaxy Nexus has no physical buttons on the front, but instead features on-screen soft keys embedded into the system software (part of Android 4.0). Beneath the soft keys, a multicolored notification LED is featured, a feature missing from the Nexus S.[33][34][35] There is no card storage expandability (SD).

The Galaxy Nexus was the first device to run Android4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich,[36] introducing a large number of new features and improvements.[37] Beginning from 11 July 2012, Android4.1 Jelly Bean began rolling out to the GSM Galaxy Nexus as an over-the-air (OTA) update.[38] The 4.2 update began rolling out on 13 November 2012 to the GSM Galaxy Nexus Takju/Maguro variant (smartphones sold in the USA and directly supported by Google) as an (OTA) update. Google started rolling out the update to the international version (Yakju/Maguro) a week later. Towards the end of December, however, not all phones had received the update. On 19 March 2013 Verizon Wireless began updating OTA their CDMA Galaxy Nexus Mysid/Toro variant to Android 4.2.2.[39]

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean was released for GSM models on 24 July 2013,[40] and Sprint began OTA updates on 31 October 2013.[41]

Google has stated that the Galaxy Nexus will not receive Android 4.4 KitKat,[42] even after having 14,000 signatures requesting it.[43] New drivers may allow unofficial Android versions to be available for the device.[44]

The Galaxy Nexus is one of few devices that officially supports Google Wallet. The Verizon variant is the only variant that does not support Google Wallet officially. This unsupported feature has caused a controversy among US users. Verizon defends its actions with reasoning that the Galaxy Nexus uses a "secure element."[47] It is possible to side load Google Wallet and it will install and work. Care must be taken when using aftermarket batteries to be sure it has near field communication ability, since the NFC antenna is located in the battery.

In some countries, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is sold SIM-unlocked.[48] It is also hardware-unlocked (unlocked bootloader, allowing root access).[49][50] The fact that the Galaxy Nexus is sold SIM-locked in some markets—primarily where operators subsidize the phone or have exclusive selling rights—breaks the more liberal tradition of previous Nexus phones: Nexus One[51] and Nexus S.[52]

In the UK, the HSPA+ version of the Galaxy Nexus became available on O2 and 3 on 17 November 2011.[53] In Germany, the HSPA+ version was sold SIM-unlocked from Vodafone and O2. It launched in December 2011 in Portugal, by Vodafone.[54]

In Canada, the device was launched on 8 December 2011.[55] The Canadian model was sold unlocked and supports GSM/UMTS/HSPA/AWS bands. A GSM/UMTS, SIM-unlocked version was officially released in the United States by Google in the Google Play Store. Sprint officially announced the Galaxy Nexus for their network at CES 2012, and was released on 22 April 2012, as one of Sprint Nextel's first LTE smartphones.[56] On 24 April 2012, the Galaxy Nexus was sold sim-unlocked on Google's Play Store for 399.99 then dropped to 349.99 later.[citation needed] The only difference between this variant and the internationally sold variant is the inclusion of "Google Wallet" out of the box.[citation needed]

On 29 June 2012, Apple was granted a request for a pre-trial injunction against the import and sale to the U.S. of Galaxy Nexus by Samsung. The order was issued by U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California.[57] The ruling was based primarily on a patent which is defined as a "universal interface for retrieval of information in a computer system". The injunction against Samsung took effect when Apple paid a $96 million bond that will be used to cover damages done to Samsung if Apple loses the case.[58][59] The Galaxy Nexus was temporarily unavailable for purchase on Google's Play store, and Google stated they would push a software update that would remove local phone searching.[60] On 6 July the ban was lifted.[61]

On 3 May 2012, Samsung India officially announced that India will not have the official release of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus,[62] despite numerous earlier reports that the device would be launched as early as mid-December 2011.[63] The Galaxy Nexus was released in Indonesia on 21 January 2012,[64] the Philippines on 28 January 2012,[65] Bahrain on 4 March 2012,[66] and Saudi Arabia in March 2012.[67]

The device was originally only available in black, developed under the codename "Tuna". A white version (with the front-panel in black[68]) was made available in February 2012.[69] There was a special edition released to Google employees with a unique back cover.[70]

Because the device was designed to work with carriers utilizing different network technology, there are several hardware variations of the Galaxy Nexus:

SCH-i515 "Toro": Verizon Wireless's variant featuring 4G LTE connectivity in the 700 MHz band (Band 13) as well as CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A connectivity in the PCS bands (800/1900 MHz). This device features 32 GB of on-board storage, measures 9.47 mm thick and features a 1850 mAh battery. This device's appearance is similar to that of the international version.

SCH-i516[citation needed] "Toro": This model is same as Verizon's Galaxy Nexus: SCH-i515, however this version has 16 GB.

GT-i9250 "Maguro": GSM/HSPA+ variant. Features support for both AT&T's and T-Mobile's HSPA+ bands in the United States. This particular variant was sold SIM-unlocked by Google in the Play Store.[71]

SPH-L700 "Toro Plus": Sprint's variant featuring 4G LTE connectivity in the 1900 MHz band (Band 25). It is virtually identical to the Verizon variant, save for the omission of the SIM slot, and minor cosmetic differences.

GT-i9250T: Australian GSM/HSPA+ variant. Complies with Australian regulatory requirements and the baseband is tuned to prefer 3G 850 MHz. This particular variant is currently sold by Optus, Telstra and Vodafone.[72]

SHW-M420S/K: Korean GSM/HSPA+ variant. Complies with Korean regulatory requirements, like a camera shutter sound. This particular variant was sold by SKT and KT.

The official Samsung accessory range includes a Desktop Dock with an HDMI port, a Desk Stand with a 3.5 mm jack, a stand with a charging port for a second battery and a car holder that will let users turn their Galaxy Nexus phone into a SatNav replacement. All of the Samsung accessories feature a microUSB port so the phone can be charged while it is being used.[73]

The Galaxy Nexus generated a high level of anticipation,[74][75] and received very positive reviews.[76]Engadget's Myriam Joire, praised the phone's speed, feel, display and battery life. Joire concluded that at the time of writing, the Galaxy Nexus is "the best Android phone available today" further concluding that it's "possibly even the best phone available today, period".[77] Ginny Mies of PCWorld echoed the previous statement, while saying that the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is "a superb phone, and a great vehicle for introducing Android Ice Cream Sandwich to the world". Despite writing that Android has "a long way" to go, in terms of progression, the tweaks and updates Google has implemented throughout the operating system substantially improves the efficiency and ease of use of the operating system.[78] In their review, Mobilesyrup lauded the phone, saying "there is no going back". They praised its aesthetics, noting that the Galaxy Nexus combined design elements of the Nexus S and Galaxy S II. They also praised its software, as the "experience is just that much better", declaring the phone as "the first best Android device ever."[79]

Engadget's Darren Murph, described Ice Cream Sandwich as "smooth as ever" further saying that "without question, this is easily the slickest, most polished version of Android yet".[80] Murph was overall "thrilled with how the first Ice Cream Sandwich handset has turned out." with its "understated, sleek, beautiful" continuing with lauding the phone's display.[81] Vincent Nguyen, from SlashGear noted the fast performance of Android 4.0.1, the tight integration between the operating system and the hardware and concluded that "this is the best Android phone around today".[82] J.R. Raphael of Computerworld, stated "The Galaxy Nexus [...] is an exceptional phone, arguably the finest Android handset to date", saying it is "sleek and attractive, with a thin, light body and a beautiful HD display". Raphael ended the review writing that the Galaxy Nexus is "screamingly fast [...] delivering what may be the best overall performance of any mobile device available".[83]

In a T3 review, Thomas Tamblyn noted the camera was "quicker than many digital cameras", and praised the phone's experience to be "very fluid" and that "it feels like a version of Android that is already very polished."[84]The Verge's Joshua Topolsky stated the phone is one of the "best smartphones ever made, and with a couple of minor tweaks (particularly to the camera), it could be the best smartphone ever produced."[85] Charlie White, at Mashable, described the screen as "gorgeous", offering "an exquisitely sharp view", and describing the hardware design as "a spectacular success", concluding the Galaxy Nexus "is by far the best Android phone I’ve seen yet".[86]